Chords and Boards.com

Please check out Jeff's new web site; http://www.chordsandboards.com/

We would love to hear what you think and please contact Jeff via the 'contact' option on the site. You can also become a fan on Facebook if that's your thing. Jeff is going to be writing a blog for the musically inclined (and those of us who wish they were), so if you have a subject suggestion or question about pianos please let him know.

Thanks for your support.

To Como in Grandpas' new car

On Saturday morning (2-20) Vickie called ask if we were interested in going to Como Conservatory seeing as our original plan of going there last Tue turned into a car shopping trip rather than a fun day at the greenhouse. We picked the two Hollands up and headed to St Paul for a warm and fun afternoon enjoying the flowers and fern. Vickie and I went to the monkey house with Ridley to see who was showing off that day.

There is a sloth that naps in the rain forest room during the day. In the evening they take her back to the area in the zoo with the other sloths. The birds fly over head and there are interesting fish and even some snakes (in cages) and a Ray swimming circles around the large turtle. On other visits I have seen lizards clinging to the walls and mice cleaning up the fallen bird seed. There were a lot of people there this day and the local population were more hidden this day.

The sunken garden was adorned for Valentines Day last week, and the fragrance of the lily's in the solarium was intoxicating. Not to mention how beautiful the flowers were surrounding the reflection pool. That is one of my favorite places to go no matter the season.

And that's right, this blog has something to do with Jeff's new car.... He has been mentioning for some time that we were going to have to start thinking about a different vehicle soon, and after the last four or five weeks of driving Jeff and the Blazer around I was in agreement with him. The Blazer was a good vehicle but the mileage was getting up there and it was smelling like anti-freeze and make strange noises. Jeff puts on a lot of miles tuning pianos and the best choose was the Prius. And Yes, the brakes work and no it is not Powder Blue. It is about the same color as his motorcycle, Royal Blue. I was a bit surprised that he and all his tools fit in it; but they do and it is comfortable and rides quite well. And on the first tank of gas he averaged like 45 miles to the gallon! KerChing. When we left the dealer I told Jeff that I feel like I am turning blue and growing a tail! (I'll never get that tall)

Did I mention that we saw Avatar in 3D? Only the best movie I have ever seen in my life. This is a must on Blue ray. If you haven't seen it yet, I would strongly suggest that you see it on the big screen. I am looking forward to seeing 'Alice in Wonderland' in a couple weeks. That's one of my favorite story's.

it was a happy Valentines Day

Hope it was a great Valentines Day and you are all enjoying the Olympics. The athletes amaze me!

Robin was in town this weekend for an interview with the U of MN to continue his education; exciting. We also heard a little more about the wedding plans for Robin and Nora. They are going to be getting married on Sunday August 15, 2010 in Marine on St. Croix, just north of Stillwater.

Gretchen Cutler, (Jeff's niece) and Jeff I. are getting married on Labor Day weekend. Looks like fun ahead.

Yesterday Vickie told us that Ridley is going to be a big brother this coming fall! We're so excited for Josh and Vickie and Ridley. And us too. Bet he's going to be a great big brother.

Jeff will be having his foot checked again on Thursday. He is now walking on the cast with the assistance of cane. He is very hopeful that he will be able to start waring a shoe and driving again. I don't want him to get too far ahead of the healing and will ease into using it.

The week is shaping up to be busy. That's a good thing.

Have a great week.

Right Foot Forward

It is nothing short of amazing to see how Jeff's foot is healing. The pins came out last Thursday and he is working up to weight baring over the next few days. He should be without the crutches by the middle of the week and adjusting to the use of a cane for a couple weeks until he is relieved of the cast. He isn't going to be able to drive until the cast comes off. The shear size of the boot make the operation of the peddles impossible. When he has his socks on (and the boot off) it's difficult to see a difference between the two feet! There are a couple very nice pairs of shoes in the closet that I am sure will fit him now.

Once again the weather is throwing the old snow whammy at the east coast and soon here with a mid-west storm. Jeff got word that Robin and Nora are stocked up and barricaded in. The DC area is getting hit with a couple feet of snow this weekend. There will be a storm blanketing the area with anywhere from 6 to 10 inches by the time it passes through but it isn't as bad as they said it would be; I'm going to wait until it is finished snowing to shovel or blow it depending on what we end up with. We have noticed that the snow falls are becoming regular Monday/Tuesday events and causes camute problems. Really glad we have a snow blower. We had a couple inches last week and most of it was shoveled, but while I had taken Jeff to tunings some very nice neighbor came over and blow the banks back and cleaned it up for me. We sure have some great neighbors.

Hope everyone is warm and out of the snow.

It's a new world in Minnesota

Where has time gone? We are doing pretty well, Jeff's going to have the pins removed from his toes on Thursday and we are hoping that he will at least be able to go without the crutches. He has been behaving for the most part ( with the exception of moving a couple heavy box's).

Yesterday, February 1 was our first official day as Pileated Press LLC publishing company. We shipped out our first two orders this morning, that was very exciting. I have all the confidence in the world that Jeff is the perfect guy for this job. I have so much to learn about all of it that I feel overwhelmed and terrified at times. I'm sure it will get better as I learn the ropes. Jeff has taken the bull by the horns and had the little ducks in a row before the mother duck landed. From shipping supplies to permits and licences. He had it all covered.

And why 'Pileated' you might ask? Well; Random House was taken. No that's not true; it's because a woodpecker lives in the neighborhood, so it's sort of in honer of that cool bird. Just think of the fun we have with titles...

There was a little more snow yesterday. Not more than 3 inches, but it was enough to turn the freeway into a parking lot. I'm glad that the rat saw it's shadow and there will be an early spring. Or is it that spring will come on March 20th, six weeks from now. Keep warm thoughts; it's down hill from here. Spring is just around the corner.